The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-25


presented at Big Shanty with an ex-
ceedingly handsome volume entitled
ga History of the Rebellion" beauti-
fully engraved and gotten up, descriptive
among other things of the very battle fought
at that spot. The presentation was made by
Mr., Brown, and was gracefully received by
Mrs. Cleveland.
As the train neared the centre of Atlanta
vast crowds were seen along the track, and
from every window face after face appeared
The tops of cars on side tracks were literally
packed with people, and it seemed as if the
whole city was out to witness the arrival AS
the train passed under the Broad street bridge
the artillery began to boom forth its salutes
and to the noise of cannon, the explosion of
fireworks, and the hoarse shouting of the en-
thusiastic multitude, the president entered
the Gate City of the South"
1t was IL 20 when the special train contain
ing the presidential party rolled into the union
depot, amid a yelling, cheering crowd chorus
o. wills, an a1tiliels saate and the burning
cf hundreds OF coiored lights.
The train was more than an hour later than
was thought it would be.
Soon after dark people began gathering
about the depot. The guards at the main en-.
trance and at the gates would not allow any
one to enter the depot, and the people made
themselves easy in the streets and on the side
walks Hundreds of people who had gained
the interior of the depot long before dark de-
cided to retain their vantage ground, and by
o'clock the crowd inside and out amounted to
more than 5000 people. About 8 o'clock Adult
tant General Kell came upon the scene, accom-
panied by the staff and entered the depot 1t
was then thought that the presidential party
would arrive at ten o'clock. The adjutant
and the other members of the staff mingled
with the crowd until nearly ten O'Clock when
Captain Couch, with platoon of police, took
charge OF the depot inside and out The crowd
was divided on the inside and an open space
extended entirely across the depot was
made. The sidewalk was cleared from
the depot entrance to the curb
stone. About ten O'Clock General Young en-
tered the depot, and in few minutes the Gate
City Guard, forty strong, under Captain An
derson's command, marched down Wall street.
The company came to halt outside, but the
crowd on the inside became so unruly that the
police could not control it, and the Guard was
marched in. On the inside of the main en-
trance the company was divided into
two platoOns The one under Captain
Anderson forming on the west side of
the main entrance and the other, under COM
mand of Lieutenant Alexander, on the east
side. The platoons We're of equal size, and ex-
tended nearly half through the depot. The
soldiers kept the crowd back successfully. In
a short time the Atlanta Rifles, about forty
strong, so,under command of Captain Sneed,
came III and formed in the same manner as
the Guard. This kept the crowd back entire
~ across the depot.
While the soldiers were on duty General
Kell General Young and other officers in the
fashy uniforms standing in groups and walk
ing about between the two files presented an
interesting and martial picture. Governor
Gordon appeared at the main entrance about
1890 and was received with deafenng cheers.
Loud calls were made for him. He raised his
hat. The calls were repeated louder and
faster.t He raised his hat again saying:
"Saye your threats, my boys, for our guest"
The speech induced another yell and in
few seconds each one was enjoying himself as
best he could. just before eleven O'Clock
Senator Colquitt walked up to the main en-
trance and passing between the files of soldiers
Joined Governor Gordon and his staff The
senator's appearance caused another outburst
BY this time the crowd began to grow inn
patient and every minute Or two some one
would yell:
"Here he comes"
These remarks would be followed by deaf
eniDg yells of all kinds, but they quickly sub
sided. The frequent successes, however, did
not prevent the assembly from being sold time
and time again. Shortly after eleven the
pilot" train bearing the committee came in
Everybody know that the president was near
at hand, and cannons began to boom, rockets
to fly and colored lights 20 burn. The
scene was not only interesting but at
rocket and tho bright lights mixed with the
wild yells Of the crowd, which by the
time had grown to more than
10000 people, made the scene
one long to he remembered by those who were
present. When the train finally came in and
The crowd in the depot caught sight of the
president sitting In his car, the noise became
more intense. Colored lights were set off in
the depot and the crowd went wild. The party
passed out, entered tho carriages, and was
driven away surrounded by the many thou
sand. all yelling and screaming with delight.
While the soldiers kept the crowd down inside
the shed Chief Connolly with his mounted
squad Of police kept the street clear on the
outside. The chief succeeded in keeping the
best order and the entire evening passed off
without qUar.e[ Or an unpleasan, feature.
As the coaches rolled into the car she'd d.
viding a solid line Of people who quickly filled
all the space On either side OF the track the
yelling was wild and continuous. Everybody
on beth sides Of the train tried to catch the
first glimpse Of the president and Mrs. lCleye-
land The train was not brilliantly lighted,